Chandler (DDG 996) - Naval Cruise Book

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COMMANDING OFFICER CDR WILLIAM G. WHEELER Commander Wheeler entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1968 under a congressional appointment from Virginia. Upon graduation in 1972. he served successively as Communications Officer. CIC Officer and Navigator aboard USS LAWRENCE (DDG 4) from 1972-1975. deploying in support of South Vietnamese forces in the fall of 1 972. Commander Wheeler attended the Naval Postgraduate School. Monterey. California as a student in the Weapon System Engineer- ing curriculum, graduating in 1977 with a Master of Scienrr degree in Applied Science. After attending the Surface Warfan Department Head Course. Commander Wheeler served as Weapons Officer. USS TOWERS (DDG 9) from 1978-1980. Fol- lowing this assignment, he reported to USS WILUAM H. STAND- LEY (CO 32) where he served as Operations Officer from 1 980- 1982. In 1 982, Commander Wheeler was ordered to the AEGIS Ship- building Program Office in the Naval Sea Systems Command. Washington. D.C as the AAW Programs Manager in the AEGIS Combat Systems Engineering Division. While serving in this assign- ment, he was selected for pre-commissioning duty as Prospective Executive Officer. BUNKER HILL (CG 52) in 1 984. Commander Wheeler served as Executive Officer of USS BUNKER HILL from 1986-1988. including a Persian Gulf deploy- ment during which the first AEGIS Vertical Launching System (VLS) cruiser participated in eleven Earnest Will U.S. -flagged tanker escort operations, she of which with USS MISSOURI as the AEGIS Battleship Covering Force for the tankers and their escorts. Commander Wheeler next reported to the staff of the Assistant Chief of Naval Operations (Surface Warfare) where he served as the AEGIS Combat Systems Head from 1 988-1 990. Commander Wheeler assumed command of USS CHANDLER (DDG 996) on 22 April 1 991 . Commander Wheeler has been designated as a Weapons Sys- tems Acquisition Manager and a proven Material SupportA eapon Systems Engineering subspecialist. He is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Stars in lieu of Second and Third awards. Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star in lieu of Second award. Navy Achievement Medal. Combat Action Ribbon. Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon and two Battle Efficiency Ribbons, as well as various service and campaign medals. Commander Wheeler is married to the former Jane Peterson of Roanoke. Virginia. The Wheelers have four children: Katie. Bill. David and Jake, and live in Coronado. Commander Wheeler has been selected for promotion to Captain.

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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY USS CHANDLER (DDG 996) FPO SAN FRANCISCO 96662- 1 268 in reply refer to: 29 June 1992 To the Officers and Crew of USS CHANDLER: Upon the completion of CHANDLER ' S fourth overseas deployment, I hope this cruise book will record and recall your many accomplishments, achieve- ments, and adventures which we have shared. CHANDLER ' S impressive record of combat readiness while forward deployed was a direct result of your untiring dedication, pride, and professionalism. I hope this cruisebook will capture not only the liberty ports and good times we enjoyed, but these accomplishments as well. Your performance as individuals and as a crew was outstanding throughout. The Operations and Combat Systems Departments maintained maximum readi- ness during months of high tempo operations in the volatile Arabian Gulf. From reliable communications and accurate navigation to continuous combat system availability, perfection was your standard. The Engineers maintained and, when required, repaired our complex propulsion plant, ensuring CHANDLER was always ready to meet all commitments. The Supply Department provided invalu- able support by anticipating our pre-deployment requirements, acquiring all repair parts and by providing outstanding hotel services to satisfy our daily needs. Your performance underway was complemented by a most impressive record on liberty ashore. As ambassadors of our country, your behavior was highly commendable and made the deployment that much more enjoyable for every- one. As a result, your reputation for personal and professional excellence has been greatly enhanced. It now extends well beyond San Diego; in fact, beyond the United States. Our namesake, RADM Theodore Chandler, would be most proud, as am I. As this will be my only deployment on CHANDLER, I want to congratulate each and every one of you for your high standards of loyalty, performance, pro- fessionalism, and support. It has been my pleasure to serve as your Command- ing Officer and shipmate. Sincerely, WILLIAM G. WHEELER Commander, U.S. Navy

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EXECUTIVE OFFICER CDR. HILL POWELL Commander Powell graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology and was commissioned an Ensign through Officer Candidate School in 1977. Upon completion of Surface Warfare Officer School in 1979, he reported to USS GUAM (LPH-9) home ported in Norfolk, VA. as Personnel Officer. After a Mediterranean deploi ment and a nine month Regular Overhaul at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, he completed his tour on the USS GUAM as Weapons Officer. In May 1982 he reported to Navy Recruiting District, Montgomery, Alabama as the Dedicated Nuclear Recruiter. In September 1984 he was transferred to Surface Warfare Officer Schools Command in Newport, Rhode Island for Department Head School. Following completion of Department Head School, CDR. Powell reported to USS MAHLON S. TISDALE (FFG-27) home ported in San Diego, California as the Combat Systems Officer. While deployed to the Arabian Gulf, he transferred to Precommissioning Unit LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG-57) located at Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi as the prospective Combat Systems Officer. After commissioning in August 1 988, USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG-57) was relocated to her new home port in San Diego, California. CDR. Powell departed the ship in July 1989 and after completing a nine month course of instruction at the Air Command and Staff College, he reported as Executive Officer on USS CHANDLER (DDG- 996) in October 1 990. Commander Powell ' s decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, Battle £ , and various unit and service awards. Commander Powell is married to the former Lynda Williams of Atlanta, Georgia. They have three sons Jay, Bradley, and Matthew. k3M